Austin Peay State University

INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS TRACKING SYSTEM

Name of Unit: Center for Field Biology
Unit Coordinator: Steven W. Hamilton Campus/Center/Site: Main Campus
Title of Coordinator: Interim Co-Director Building & Room: Sunquist Science Bldg
Telephone: 931-221-7783 E-Mail Address: hamiltonsw@apsu.edu
Name of Supervisory Unit: Assistant Vice President - Enrichment Programs
  Last Update: 7/30/2003 1:57:32 PM
 
  • Unit Statement of Purpose

    Mission Statement

    The Center for Field Biology at Austin Peay State University (APSU) brings together scholars from various biological disciplines to conduct research on biotic communities in the Land Between The Lakes (LBL) region, Tennessee, and adjacent eco-regions.   These  include inventories of community structure; endangered, threatened and rare species; and environment.  After having been designated an Accomplished Center, its focus expanded to include problems in experimental ecology which identify the impacts of various disturbances upon the composition of communities in the LBL region, Tennessee, and adjacent eco-regions, as well as experimental programs that contribute to the development of general ecological theory and applied biology.

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  • Unit Objectives for Fiscal Year 2002-03

    Objective 1.0 The Center for Field Biology is dedicated to research, education, and conservation.  Through knowledge and biological inquiry, we learn how best to protect our natural heritage.  Thus, the main focus of The Center will continue to involve Center principal investigators designing collaborative research opportunities in field biology for undergraduate and graduate research assistants, and faculty from other institutions.
     
    Objective 1.1  
    Objective 2.0 The Center will provide matching funds in support of grant and contract projects awarded to (1) Drs. Mack Finley and  Steven Hamilton, (2) Dr. Edward W. Chester,  (3) Dr. Floyd Scott, and (4) Ms. Laurina Lyle.

     
    Objective 3.0 The Center will sponsor a seminar series during spring semester of 2003.  This seminar series brings professional biologists to the campus to discuss their research projects and consult with Center faculty and research assistants.
     
    Objective 4.0 The Center will conduct the tenth symposium, sceduled for 21 and 22 March 2003, on "The Natural History of Lower Tennessee and Cumberland River Valleys."  The program activities will be jointly sponsored with Murray State University's Center for Reservoir Research and USDA Forest Service Land Between The Lakes.  This joint sponsorship will provide a forum for the faculties and students to interact and develop collegiality important to the mission of each.  
    Objective 5.0 Center faculty will continue to support surrounding county school systems regarding environmental education in the field and classroom.

     
    Objective 6.0 The Center will manage and support an extended fifth-year environmental education project across the state for training public school teachers regarding Water Education for Tennessee Teachers (WETT).  This is a contract from TDA/EPA nonpoint source pollution environmental education 319 funds.  Dr. Mack Finley, Dr. Willodean Burton, Dr. Steven Hamilton, Ms Laurina Lyle, and Ms. Sallie Noel will give training sessions and assist local science teachers.
     
    Objective 7.0 The Center will manage and support the third year of the contract “ Red River Water Quality Restoration Project: Sulphur Fork Creek/Millers Creek.”  This project received funding beginning December 1999 utilizing EPA funds ($489,845) through TDA/NPS program. Drs. Mack Finley, Steven Hamilton, Willodean Burton are principal investigators.  
    Objective 8.0 The Center will advertise nationally seeking the best qualified professional field biologist to appoint as Director of this Center.  Dr. Stone, the current Director, will officially retire as director effective December 31, 2002.
     
    Objective 9.0 Develop time frame for publishing “Flora of Tennessee.”  This major publication will be the first definitive publication of this type since Gattinger’s 1901 publication.  Dr. Edward W. Chester in collaboration with Dr. Eugene Wofford, The University of Tennessee, will coauthor this publication.  The extensive work on the Atlas of Vascular Plants of Tennessee, volumes one and two serve as a basis for developing this timely publication.
     
    Objective 10.0 Develop plans for publishing photographic guide “Amphibians and Reptiles of the Land Between The Lakes Region.”  Dr. Floyd Scott in collaboration with Dr. David Snyder will continue  in 2002 and 2003 accumulating photographs and appropriate narrative for this publication.

     
    Objective 11.0 The Center will continue to support a contract with the National Park Service and Fort Donelson National Battlefield to establish a plant collection representative of the vascular flora of Fort Donelson National Military Park. Dr. Edward W. Chester will manage this project.  
    Objective 12.0 The Center will continue to support a contract with Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to create an electronic data base of amphibians and reptiles in Tennessee.  Dr. Floyd Scott will manage this project.
     
    •  
  • 2002-03 Annual Report Section
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    Accreditation or Program review activities from 2002-03 academic year.
      No accreditation or program review activities took place during the 2002-2003 academic year.  Occasional meetings were held to discuss internal matters relating needs and activities of Center staff and planning for the March 2003 Center-sponsored symposium at LBL.  

      The search committee assigned to select the new Center director held numerous meeting and seminars during the latter portion of the Spring 2003 semester.  The search was successfully completed by the end of April 2003.
     
    New initiatives, activities or programs from the 2002-03 academic year.
    1.  The Eighth Annual Tennessee Herpetology Conference was held in the Joe Morgan University Center from October 31 to November 2002.  The meeting was organized by Dr. Floyd Scott and co-sponsored by the Center and the Tennessee Herpetological Society. The meeting included a keynote address by Dr. Whitfield Gibbons (University of Georgia and the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory), eleven contributed presentation and a field trip lead by Dr. Scott and Undergraduate Research Assistant Nathan Parker.

    2.  Dr. Scott, working with Center research assistants and Dr. William H. Redmond (Tennessee Valley Authority), completed a 64 page booklet entitled Updated Checklist of Tennessee’s Amphibians and Reptiles with an Annotated Bibliography Covering Primarily Years 1990 Through 2001.  It was published in October 2002 and is now available for purchase as part of The Center’s Miscellaneous Publications Series.  Since publication, several hundred copies have been distributed.

    3.  University administration approved an external search for a new Center director to replace Dr. Benjamin P. Stone who completed is duties at the end of December 2002.  Dr. Mack Finley and Steven Hamilton were appointed to serve as Interim Co-Directors of the Center for the remainder of the fiscal year while the director search was underway.  The search was completed by the committee on April 30.  Dr. Andrew Barrass was appointed as Director on July 1, 2003.

    4.  The Center sponsored its biennial Symposium on the Natural History of Lower Tennessee and Cumberland River Valleys on March 21 and 22.  This, the 10th symposium, was co-sponsored by the Center for Reservoir Research at Murray State University and U.S. Forest Service’s Land Between The Lakes (LBL) and was held at the Brandon Spring Group Camp at LBL.

    5.  During the Spring 2003 semester the Spring Undergraduate Honors Seminars, sponsored by the Center in collaboration with the Department of Biology, was held on most Thursdays at noon in the Sundquist Science Complex.  At the end of the Fall 2002 semester, biology faculty members nominated the top 10% of their students from that term to attend the honors seminar.  Students that attend a designated number of seminars and maintain a 3.0 GPA in biology courses will receive a certificate of recognition.  Eleven speakers external to the university were invited to campus to present 50 minute seminars in various areas of biology as well as land and water conservation.  In addition, four graduate students presented seminars on their Master’s research in the department.

    6.  The Center co-sponsored a public meeting entitled “West Nile Virus: The Impacts on Humans, Livestock, and Wildlife - Prospects for the Future.”  The meeting was held the evening of February 6 in the Sundquist Science Complex.  The meeting was organized by the Warioto Chapter of the National Audubon Society and with the Center co-sponsored by Gateway Health Systems, the Montgomery County Health Department and DoctorsCare.  Speakers were Dr. Steven Hamilton (CFB) Dr. Don Dailey (Department of Biology), Dr. Randall Ellis (local physician), Ms. Kristy Gottfried (TN State Medical Entomologist) and Dr. Gary Swinger (TN State Public Health Veterinarian).

    7.  The Center for Field Biology partnered with the Red River Watershed Association (RRWA) to implement best management practices to reduce nonpoint source water pollution in the Red River Watershed.  Through the RRWA, the project is funded by the TN Wildlife Resources Agency.  Dr. Finley is Vice President of the RRWA and Dr. Hamilton is a Board Member.

    8.  Under the direction of Ms. Laurina Lyle, Environmental Education Coordinator, 16 Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) workshops were conducted in 2002-2003 resulting in 578 educators receiving Project WET- Tennessee training. Of these individuals trained, 216 were elementary school teachers, and 312 were middle school teachers. The remaining fifty educators were either secondary school educators or non-formal educators.

    9.  The book, “A Catfish Lives Here,” was researched, produced and written by Ms. Lyle. This publication was produced for The Cumberland River Compact, Nashville, Tennessee. The publication will be used the Nashville City Arts Project, “Catfish Out of Water.”  

    10.  Dr. Edward W. Chester neared completion of a project to develop an herbarium for the Fort Donelson National Battlefield and Cemetery, Stewart County, Tennessee. This funded project will be completed in the summer of 2003. More than 800 specimens have been collected, mounted, and accessioned into the Fort Donelson Herbarium.
    Books Published or
    Accepted for Publication    		 Authors, Titles, Locations/Conferences
    1  1. Scott, A. F. and W. H. Redmond.  2002.  Updated checklist of Tennessee’s amphibians and reptiles with an annotated bibliography covering primarily years 1990 through 2001.  Miscellaneous Publication No. 17, The Center for Field Biology, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN.  64 pp.
     
    Publications or
    Journal Articles    		 Authors, Titles, Locations/Conferences
    13  1.  Baskin, C.C., J.M. Baskin, and E.W. Chester. 2002. Effects of flooding and temperature on dormancy break in seeds of the summer annual mudflat species Ammannia coccinea and Rotala ramosior (Lythraceae). Wetlands 22:661-668.

    2.  Baskin, C.C., J.M. Baskin, and E.W. Chester. 2003. Ecological life cycle of Trepocarpus aethusae (Nutt.) ex DC. and comparisons with two other winter annual Apiaceae native to eastern United States. Castanea, The Journal of the Southern Appalachian Botanical Society 68:43-56.

    3.  Baskin, C.C., J.M. Baskin, E.W. Chester, and M. Smith. 2003. Ethylene as a possible clue for seed germination of Schoenoplectus hallii (Cyperaceae), a rare summer annual of occasionally flooded sites. American Journal of Botany 90:620-627.

    4.  Baskin, C.C., J.M. Baskin, E.W. Chester, and M. Smith. Ethylene as a possible cue for seed germination of Schoenoplectus hallii (Cyperaceae), a rare summer annual of occasionally flooded sites. (Abstract). In: Proceedings of the 10th Symposium on the Natural History of Lower Tennessee and Cumberland River Valleys, Land Between the Lakes,  L.I. Lyle, E.W. Chester and A.F. Scott (editors).  The Center for Field Biology, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN.

    5.  Bufalino, A. P. and A. F. Scott.  2002.  The distribution of Nerodia erythrogaster in the lower Cumberland River basin of Kentucky and Tennessee.  Herpetological Review 34:77-78.

    6.  Canada, B. and A. F. Scott.  In Press.  Geographic Distribution: Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis.  Herpetological Review.

    7.  Chester, Edward W. The vascular flora of Fort Donelson National Battlefield and Cemetery, Stewart County, Tennessee.  (Abstract).  In: Proceedings of the 10th Symposium on the Natural History of Lower Tennessee and Cumberland River Valleys, Land Between the Lakes,  L.I. Lyle, E.W. Chester and A.F. Scott (editors).  The Center for Field Biology, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee

    8.  Evjen, A. N., J. R. Schiller, and A. C. Lewis.  2003 (In press).  A study of the effect of tail autotomy on social dominance among male five-lined skinks, Eumeces fasciatus, in contests over mating access to reproductive females. In: Proceedings of the 10th Symposium on the Natural History of Lower Tennessee and Cumberland River Valleys, Land Between the Lakes,  L.I. Lyle, E.W. Chester and A.F. Scott (editors).  The Center for Field Biology, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee.

    9.  Gunn, S.M., and E.W. Chester. 2003 (In press).  Floristic studies in the Duck River Unit, Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge, Humphreys County, Tennessee. Tenth Symposium on the Natural History of Lower Tennessee and Cumberland River Valleys. (Abstract).  In: Proceedings of the 10th Symposium on the Natural History of Lower Tennessee and Cumberland River Valleys, Land Between the Lakes,  L.I. Lyle, E.W. Chester and A.F. Scott (editors).  The Center for Field Biology, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee.

    10.  Hamilton, S.W., D. L. Hamilton and H.E. Gillis.  2003 (In press).  Water quality assessment using aquatic macroinvertebrates: How often do student monitors get it right? (Abstract).  In Proceedings of the 10th Symposium on the Natural History of Lower Tennessee and Cumberland River Valleys, L.I. Lyle, E.W. Chester and A.F. Scott (editors).  The Center for Field Biology, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee.

    11.  Lyle, L.I.  2002.  A Catfish Lives Here.  The Center for Field Biology, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN.   16 pp.

    12.  Lyle, L.I., E.W. Chester and A.F. Scott (editors). 2003 (In press).  Proceedings of the 10th Symposium on the Natural History of Lower Tennessee and Cumberland River Valleys, The Center for Field Biology, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee.

    13.  Scott, A.F.  2003 (In press).  Variation in seasonal activity of narrow-mouth toads (Gastrophryne carolinensis) at two small ponds in the Land Between the Lakes over an 11-year period. (Abstract).  In Proceedings of the 10th Symposium on the Natural History of Lower Tennessee and Cumberland River Valleys, L.I. Lyle, E.W. Chester and A.F. Scott (editors).  The Center for Field Biology, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee.
     
    Presentations or
    Exhibits    		 Authors, Titles, Locations/Conferences
    19  1.  Aubee, C.B., and H.H. Whiteman.  Breeding phenology in the polymorphic mole salamander, Ambystoma talpoideum, in western Kentucky. , Murray State University. Tenth Symposium on the Natural History of Lower Tennessee and Cumberland River Valleys, Brandon Spring Group Camp, Land Between The Lakes, Tennessee,  March 22, 2003.

    2.  Baskauf, C.J. and D. Reppuhn.  2002.  An ecophysiological study of Astragalus bibullatus (Fabaceae).  The 87th Annual Meetings of the Ecological Society of America, Tucson, Arizona, August 7, 2002.

    3.  Baskin, C.C., J.M. Baskin, E.W. Chester, and M. Smith. Ethylene as a possible cue for seed germination of Schoenoplectus hallii (Cyperaceae), a rare summer annual of occasionally flooded sites. Tenth Symposium on the Natural History of Lower Tennessee and Cumberland River Valleys, Brandon Spring Group Camp, Land Between The Lakes, Tennessee,  March 22, 2003.

    4.  Brown, T.O., S.W. Hamilton and L.I. Lyle.  2003 (In press).  Preliminary Water Quality monitoring of four springs in the Red River Watershed, Montgomery and Robertson Counties, Tennessee.  Thirteen Tennessee Water Resources Symposium, Montgomery Bell State Park, Burns, Tennessee, April 10, 2003.

    5.  Chester, E.W. The vascular flora of Fort Donelson National Battlefield and Cemetery, Stewart County, Tennessee. Tenth Symposium on the Natural History of Lower Tennessee and Cumberland River Valleys, Brandon Spring Group Camp, Land Between The Lakes, Tennessee, March 22, 2003.

    6.  Chester, E.W. The Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of Tennessee. Invited presentation to the 53rd Annual Wildflower Pilgrimage, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, 25 April 2003.

    7.  Evjen, A. N., J. R. Schiller, and A. C. Lewis.  A study of the effect of tail autotomy on social dominance among male five-lined skinks, Eumeces fasciatus, in contests over mating access to reproductive females. The 112th Meeting of the Tennessee Academy of Science, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee,  November 15, 2002.

    8.  Evjen, A. N., J. R. Schiller, and A. C. Lewis. A study of the effect of tail autotomy on social dominance among male five-lined skinks, Eumeces fasciatus, in contests over mating access to reproductive females.  Tenth Symposium on the Natural History of Lower Tennessee and Cumberland River Valleys, Brandon Spring Group Camp, Land Between The Lakes, Tennessee, March 22, 2003.

    9.  Gunn S.M., and E.W. Chester. Floristic studies in the Duck River Unit, Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge, Humphreys County, Tennessee. Tenth Symposium on the Natural History of Lower Tennessee and Cumberland River Valleys, Brandon Spring Group Camp, Land Between The Lakes, Tennessee,  March 22, 2003.

    10.  Hamilton, S.W., D.L. Hamilton and H.E. Gillis.  Water quality assessment using aquatic macroinvertebrates: How often do student monitors get it right?  Tenth Symposium on the Natural History of Lower Tennessee and Cumberland River Valleys, Brandon Spring Group Camp, Land Between The Lakes, Tennessee, March 22, 2003.

    11.  Lebkuecher, J.G., L.E. Altmon, G.K. Harris, K.L. Wallace, and A.R. Wilding. 2002. Dissipation of excitation energy during development of photosystem 2 photochemistry in Helianthus annuus.  Photosynthetica 40(2):301-304.

    12.  Lewis, A.C., J.R. Schiller, and A.N. Evjen. In Press. A study of the efficacy of passive integrated transponders (PITs) for permanently identification of Eumeces fasciatus and E. laticeps.  The 112th Meeting of the Tennessee Academy of Science, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, November 15, 2002.

    13.  Lyle, L.I. Gathering the Waters of Tennessee Springs Monitoring Program- Preliminary Model for Groundwater Education.  Thirteen Tennessee Water Resources Symposium, Montgomery Bell State Park, Burns, Tennessee, April 11, 2003.

    14.  Lyle, L.I.  CaPOW (A reprot on the Catfish Out of Water project).  National Project WET Annual Conference, Clemson, South Carolina, 31 May 2003.

    15.  Schiller, J.R., A.N. Evjen, and A.C. Lewis.  The use of passive integrated transponders (PITs) in studies of the life history and ecology of and E. laticeps. The 112th Meeting of the Tennessee Academy of Science. Journal of the Tennessee Academy of Science.  The 112th Meeting of the Tennessee Academy of Science, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee,  November 15, 2002.

    16.  Scott, A.F.  Checklist of Tennessee’s Amphibians and Reptiles. Eighth Annual Tennessee Herpetology Conference, Joe Morgan University Center, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee, 31 October-2 November, 2002.

    17.  Scott, A.F.  Variation in seasonal activity of narrow-mouth toads (Gastrophryne carolinensis) at two small ponds in the Land Between the Lakes over an 11-year period.  Tenth Symposium on the Natural History of Lower Tennessee and Cumberland River Valleys, Brandon Spring Group Camp, Land Between The Lakes, Tennessee, March 22, 2003.

    18.  Smith, D.P.  The role use of rock structures for in-stream bank stability and habitat improvement.  Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, Monterey, California, August 2002.

    19.  Smith, D.P.  Reduction of non-point source sediment through streambank restoration.  Watershed Institute Brownbag Seminar Series, California State University at Monterey Bay, California, October 2002.
     
    Performance Authors, Titles, Locations/Conferences
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